In episode 108, I catch up with Australia’s track and road star, Kell O‘Brien, from Jayco-AlUla. Kell and I discuss his 2024 classics season and chat about his focus for the Olympics this year in Paris. We also talked about the Giro and the current weather concerns the riders are facing. What is it like to have to ride or race in those icy conditio…

The hot, dry Mediterranean, the depths of the tropics and the computer screen, Dr Helena Vallicrosa works in a range of environments to understand how chemical elements, the building blocks of the earth, cycle through ecosystems. The ‘annoying kid’ who always asked questions, a lack of representation in science meant that Helena didn’t always think…

In episode 107, I catch up with the loveable sprinter Jensen Plowright from Alpecin–Deceuninck. We catch up after a long time between drinks, and the result is very entertaining. We discuss the Giro and whether Caleb Ewan will get back to the top step this month, and Jensen explains the stresses of hectic sprint stages. We chat a bit about tech and…

In this episode, Olly and Sarah explore the world of electromagnetics with expert guest Dr Antony Lui. Antony’s career in research has focused on applications related to electromagnetic theory, including medical diagnosis, and antennas for sensing and communications. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove) Co-Host: Sarah Lyden …

In episode 106, I catch up with Jai Hindley, the winner of the 2022 Giro d’Italia. He is also known as the Prince of Perth. Jai and I catch up on what has been happening in his life this year, including his new contract extension with Bora-Hansgrohe. We discuss the major factors Jai considered during the negotiations and the importance of being abl…

Join Olly in Sarah in this episode as they talk to engineer and chemist Tim Jessup about Jetpacks, Mass-spectrometers and applying the scientific method to creating the ultimate brownie recipe. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeod Host: Olly Dove (@olly_dove) Co-Host: Sarah Lyden Production: Ryan Smith Media & Promotion: Katya Bandow (@katyabandow)…

In episode 105, I catch up with Giro stage winner, SBS commentator and my good mate Dave McKenzie to discuss some hot topics ahead of this year’s Giro d’Italia. Macca and I discuss the “dominance vs. entertainment” theme referring to Pogacar’s likely sweep of the Giro GC and speculate about Sam Welsford’s surprising exclusion from the Bora Hansgroh…

In episode 104, I catch up with the man behind Mark Cavendish’s comeback to success, his coach, Vasilis Anastapolous, AKA “Vasi”. In Cavendish’s own words, Vasilis was the catalyst for Mark Cavendish’s return to success when they were introduced to each other at the beginning of 2021. Vasi and I discuss his training philosophy and what it is like t…

Rex Moncur graduated in Communications Engineering. He was Director of the Australian Antarctic Division from 1988 to 1998. Rex was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal and is a Fellow of the University of Tasmania for helping set up Antarctic Research at the University. On retirement his interest is Amateur Radio and he holds a number of Wo…

In episode 103, I chat with the smiling Colombian Esteban Chaves. Esteban shot to fame in 2014 as a likeable and endearing character while riding for Greenedge Cycling. He has podiumed the Giro d’italia and the Vuelta Espana, winning numerous grand tour stages and a monument at Il Lombardia. In this episode, Esteban and I discuss the traditional de…

In this episode, Georgia and Sarah learn all about hydrogen energy technology and its role in Australia’s sustainable future. Our guest is Dr Krystina Lamb, a leader in renewable and hydrogen energy technology research, now working for Jupiter Ionics. Tune in to hear about Krystina’s journey and learn how hydrogen can be used to store energy, where…

In episode 102, we chat with Anya Louw from AG Insurance - Soudal. The 23-year-old Tasmanian quickly rose to the Women’s World Tour in 2022 and has established herself as a real captain within the team despite admittedly still learning the ropes herself. Anya and I chatted about her adaption to the European professional lifestyle, what aspects she …

Join Olly and Sarah in this episode as they dive into an interesting engineering application involving lobsters. Our expert guest Charles Sutherland is a PhD student in the School of Engineering and has been working on enabling technology to identify pre-moult lobsters. Through this episode Charles shares the engineering journey he has been on in d…

In episode 101, I catch up with Valtteri Bottas & Tiffany Cromwell, the cycling and Formula One power couple. Valtteri, Tiff and I chat about their upcoming gravel race in Finland, Fnld GRVL, which is a part of the GRVL series, including RADL (AUS) and SBT GRVL (US). We chat about how they discovered gravel cycling and how it plays a role in improv…

In episode 100, I caught up with the greatest Men’s mountain biker of all time, Nino Schurter. Nino is a 10 (!!) time World Champion in the cross-country discipline and an Olympic gold medalist. At 37 years old, Nino is still a force in the sport, and the likes of Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel are trying to dethrone him in the MTB world. In …

In the paradise of Ticino, Switzerland palms line the foothills of the alps, but why are they here and are they a problem? Thibaut Juillard studies what makes these palms successful for his PhD in the PERL (Plant Ecology Research Laboratory) at EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland). Dr Kate Johnson and Katya Band…

In episode 99, I catch up with Australia’s greatest-ever general classification rider, 2011 Tour de France winner and World Champion, Cadel Evans. Cadel begins by explaining the origins of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and explains the difficulties of putting on a bike race in 2024. We then turn our attention to which riders in the modern-d…

Join us as we journey through time and space to unlock Earth's dynamic history with expert guest Dr. Sheree Armistead. In this episode, we delve into Sheree’s groundbreaking research, from unravelling the mysteries of supercontinent Gondwana's tectonic evolution in Madagascar, India, and East Africa during her PhD studies, to exploring the ancient …

In episode 98, I catch up with Fabian Cancellara, the owner of Tudor Pro Cycling, the new Suisse team on a rapid rise towards the World Tour. Fabian explains how the team came to be and its organisational values. We discuss the challenges of creating a new team and managing sponsor expectations. Fabian and I close the episode by discussing the riva…

Welcome to the third instalment of our 'Geoscience Mini-Series', a four-part journey where we engage with geoscientists from Tasmania and across Australia. This week, we're thrilled to chat with Dr. Indrani Mukherjee, a geology lecturer and researcher at the University of New South Wales. Join us as we explore Indrani’s work unravelling the intrica…

Welcome to our second instalment of the ‘Geoscience mini-series’, a four-part series where we talk to geoscientists based in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia. Dr. Owen Missen, a Lecturer in Environmental Geology, shares insights into the role of critical metals, such as Cobalt and Tellurium, in Australia’s sustainable future. Show theme music: K…

Welcome to our first instalment of the ‘Geoscience mini-series’, a four-part series where we talk to geoscientists based in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia. This episode’s guest, Izzy Von Lichtan, is an esteemed expert in earth sciences, serving as curator at the Rock Library & Geological Museum and associate lecturer at the University of Tasma…

Drones, Aussie mangroves and pine forests in the Swiss mountains; come on a journey around the world with Parisian Ecophysiologist Dr Alice Gauthey. Find out how Dr Gauthey investigates the impacts of climate change including drought, heat and increasing CO2 on plants in this interview with fellow-plant-lover Dr Kate Johnson. You’ll also hear Dr Ga…

In episode 97, I catch up with one of the most fascinating cyclists in the modern peloton, Matej Mohorič. Matej is well-known for his impressive record of wins and his fearless riding style, but also for his eloquent and candid interviews that he consistently delivers. In our conversation, we discussed the classics, what it takes to win, and the ch…

Welcome to our first new episode of 2024! We’re kicking off the year by delving into the captivating world of beetles and bugs with Tessa Smith, a PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania. Tessa's not just an insect expert, she's also a rockstar in the science communication scene! From co-hosting "That's What I Call Science" to organising the su…

In episode 96, I catch up with the man of the summer, Laurence Pithie. Laurence and I discussed the recent NZ national championships, his huge victory at Cadel Evans GORR, and what was going through his mind during that hectic sprint finish. We dive into his favourite sponsor items (it will surprise you) and chat about living in Europe, running in …

In episode 95, I chat with one of the authorities of sprinting at the top level, Greg Henderson. Greg has raced 17 grand tours and 5 Olympic games and worked closely with Andre Greipel, Mark Cavendish and other world-class sprinters. He is known for his race IQ and now operates as a director sportif in his post-racing career. Greg and I sat down to…

In episode 94, I chat with Australian champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon. Ruby and I discussed how she plans to step up in the classics in 2024 as she enters her 4th season as a pro. Ruby explains why the gym is important for her training and details what she wants to work on for this season to take that next step in her career. Finally, we finish with s…

In episode 93, I chat with Finn Fisher-Black from Team UAE. Finn and I catch up at the Tour Down Under and chat about his fantastic 2023 season after recovering from a horrific leg injury in his neo-pro season. We discuss the upcoming Olympics, time trialling and New Zealand’s finest chocolates. Head to www.procyclingkitsales.com to check out the r…

In episode 92, I chat with New Zealand RR champion and stage 1 winner of the Tour Down Under, Ally Wollaston. Sitting down at the Hilton, Adelaide, we chat about her recent successful start to 2024 at the TDU, personally and for her AG Insurance-Soudal team. There is also some chat about Oakleys, chocolate, coffee and moon landings (allegedly). Fin…

In episode 91, I chat with Australian sprinter and new Bora Hansgrohe recruit, Sam Welsford. Sam and I discuss the recent Australian Nationals and where it might be headed before getting stuck into some Tour Down Under thoughts. Sam explains why being a sprinter is much more than simply putting out 1700W, and we look ahead to the Paris Olympics and…

In episode 90 and our first here at Tour Down Under, I sit down with TPR favourite, Sarah Gigante of AG Insurance - Soudal. Sarah and I chat about her recent Australian Road Nationals return and her explosive display in the road race. We chat about her new team, new equipment, losing her nickname and of course, moon landings. Tour Down Under Event …

In episode 89, I chat with reigning Australian ITT champion Grace Brown of FDJ Suez Futuroscope. Grace and I unpacked what’s to come in the women’s road race and also the ITT. Grace explains the tightrope of fitness she must balance at this time of the year and details the external pressures of being the favourite to win during the Australian summe…

In episode 88 and the first for 2024, I sat down with Q36.5 rider and Australian professional Jimmy Whelan. We discuss the upcoming Australian National Championships, how the road race can be won and lost, and who Jimmy will be looking at in the final laps of Buninyong. We begin by touching on Jimmy’s inspiring journey back to the top flight of cyc…

Our Australian Museum Eureka Prize miniseries wraps up this week with part 4, where we interview Lila Landowski. Lila was a finalist for the Celestino Eureka prize for Promoting Understanding of Science. A neuroscientist by day, she’s also presented a Tedx Talk with nearly 2 million views, and appears as a regular guest science communicator on majo…

For week three of our four-part Eureka Prizes mini-series, we’re joined by two members of the Sea Slug Census team: Dr Nicole Mertens and Professor Steve Smith. The Sea Slug Census was a finalist for the Innovation in Citizen Science category at the Eureka Prizes 2023, and brings together slug enthusiasts across the country to find these wonderful …

For week two of our four-part Eureka Prizes mini-series, we’ve got a million things to talk about. More specifically, we’ve got 1 Million Turtles to talk about! Joined by three team members from the 1 Million Turtles project (James Van Dyke, Deborah Bower, and Ricky Spencer), we hear all about freshwater turtles in Australia, and how we can help th…

Robyn Williams is a legend in science journalism. For over 50 years he has brought science stories to the airways through ABC National’s Science Show. As the founder of Australia Museum’s Eureka Prize, he joins Anna and Olly for part one of four episodes in the Eureka Prizes mini-series. They discuss the history of STEMM communication, cultural cha…

Welcome to our final episode of the Conservation of Tasmanian Plants mini-series. Today, our botany hosts Kate and Katya have the incredible privilege of chatting with Professor Greg Jordan, a paleobotanist and plant science lecturer at the University of Tasmania. Greg shares some of his career highlights and his love for Tasmanian native flora, an…

It's week two of the Conservation of Tasmanian Plants mini-series, and this week Katya and Olly are chatting to Dr. Laura Williams from the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. In this episode, Laura talks us through the unique plant collections found at the gardens and the many conservation initiatives she is involved in. We also hear a little bit a…

In episode 87 and the final for 2023, I sit down once again with the people's champ of TPR, Luke Plapp. The great man talks us through his freshly announced transfer to Jayco-Alula. What is he looking forward to at his new team, why did he make the switch and, Luke looks back on his time with Ineos and explains what he learned. Naturally, we keep o…

Kicking off our three part mini-series on the Conservation of Tasmanian Plants, today we are talking to Dr. Miguel de Salas from the Tasmanian Herbarium, a branch of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). Join us as we chat about botany curation, plant taxonomy, dinoflagellates, and how you can get involved with plant conservation using the i…

In episode 86, I catch up with Australian time-trial machine and all-round legend, Georgie Howe, from Team Jayco-Alula. Georgie and I look back on her first season in the Women’s World Tour. We talk about what she learned racing in the classics, the level of the WWT, her Tour de France experience and, other highlights throughout the year. Of course…

Australia’s national research vessel, the RV Investigator, recently celebrated a special milestone; it set sail on its 100th voyage! Hannah and Olly sit down with Dr Ben Arthur from CSIRO’s Marine National Facility to celebrate, hear about the various voyages which have taken place over the last nine years, and ask how you might be able to join a v…

In episode 85, I catch up with the best in the cycling media game, Patrick Broe. Patrick is the man who founded Lanterne Rouge, the YouTube channel and the cycling podcast we all know and love. Patrick and I discussed the early days of his cycling media output and the challenges of securing his unique ASO rights agreement. We speak about his role w…

In September 2023, twelve early career researchers from across Australia were brought together in Perth to battle it out for the FameLab Australia National Finals 2023. While a winner did emerge from the competition, the real winners were the friends we made along the way. Join Olly as she hears from the finalists about their wholesome experiences …

Recently, Hannah and Olly from the TWICS team attended the Centre for Marine Socioecology (CMS) Showcase Day. CMS (www.marinesocioecology.org) is a multi- and transdisciplinary research collaboration based in lutruwita/Tasmania, made up of individuals from various backgrounds and experience, from undergraduate students to experienced researchers. T…

In episode 84, I sit down with the next big thing in women’s professional cycling, Zoe Backstedt. At 19 years old, Zoe is just getting started. She recently signed a 3-year-deal with Canyon-Sram and is about to start her Cyclocross season after completing her first year in the World Tour. In this episode, Zoe and I have a lot of fun chatting about …

Fossils, plants and big data are three things Dr Matilda Brown loves and brings together in their position in the Conservation Assessment and Analysis team at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London. Join Dr Kate Johnson to hear about Matilda’s work in a wonderland of palm-houses and rooms full of pressed plants where she seeks not only to improve …